Question

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Explanation:

Analyze the author's central argument

In this excerpt from All Rivers Run to the Sea, Elie Wiesel questions why Allied powers (like Moscow and Washington) did not bomb the rail lines leading to Birkenau, despite knowing about the ongoing mass murder. He emphasizes that even a brief delay in the transport of victims "would have prolonged so many lives." This highlights his belief that inaction in the face of atrocity is a grave failure.

Evaluate the multiple-choice options

• Option 1 ("it is best to avoid confrontation at all costs"): This directly contradicts Wiesel's message, as he is criticizing the lack of military confrontation/intervention to stop the trains.
• Option 2 ("people need to be proactive when they witness an injustice"): This aligns perfectly with Wiesel's critique. By questioning why nothing was done to slow down the "production" of death, he argues that active intervention is necessary when witnessing injustice. This connects deeply to the core themes of Holocaust Literature.
• Option 3 ("countries should remain neutral to keep alliances strong"): Wiesel is criticizing the neutrality or inaction of the Allied countries, so he would not agree with this.
• Option 4 ("Moscow and Washington are to be blamed for the Holocaust"): While Wiesel blames them for their inaction and failure to prevent or slow down the killings, the primary blame for the Holocaust itself lies with the perpetrators (the Nazis). The passage focuses on the moral failure of bystander inaction rather than assigning primary blame for the genocide to the Allies.

Formulate the final conclusion

The author's rhetorical questions and expression of outrage over the lack of action to destroy the rail lines demonstrate his belief that witnesses of injustice must take proactive measures to stop it.

Answer:

• it is best to avoid confrontation at all costs.
• people need to be proactive when they witness an injustice. (Correct answer)
• countries should remain neutral to keep alliances strong.
• Moscow and Washington are to be blamed for the Holocaust.